KP2025.001.018

Camp I don’t know where Dec 6th 1862
Dear Brother & Sister
After 3 days ride through a desolate & forsaken country and over a rough, muddy, crooked & winding road, lined more than half of the way with forests of Pine & Oak, mostly, but small from 1 to 12 inches through, there was not but a few houses and they were back from the road, some have white women in them and some Darkies but we did not see any men but old men on the road. We too our Haversacks full of hard crackers a chunk of boiled pork some coffee & Sugar, but the second night, we were a little beef hungry and our 3 companies killed 3 beeves and had good suppers & breakfast. Each company has a baggage Wagon drawn by 4 horses. They carried mostly Oats to feed on the way. The first night our horses had no hay but the second night the Major who took us through told us to take our circingles [surcingles] that we buckled over our saddles and get all the hay we could carry from Mr. Secesh’es stacks and we carried off 3 stacks in a hurry and I dug a hole in a Potatoe heap and filled my pocket. And in the eve Joe and I  and 2 others went to a house and got our suppers. The third night we camped about 3 or 4 miles from Aquia Landing and some 10 from Fredericksburgh [Fredericksburg], and ½ mile from our Regt. We had good weather all the way coming. Yesterday morning I rode over and camped with the old Regt. It rained all the forenoon and snowed all the afternoon, and we had a pretty tough time pitching tents and making fire out of green Hickory and Pine. Tell Aunt Lydia I got a letter from her last night and will answer it soon. Twas directed to Camp of Recruits and got here before I did. The 44th is about 3 miles from here, the 64th & 72 (the one the Poverty Hill boys are in) are but a few miles from here. I stand the ride much better than I expected to. I felt better when I got here than when I started but I caught a little cold last evening getting so wet, but I was up at 4 this morning and have written all this by firelight. we are close to the two contending Armies and I only heard one cannon fired yesterday; all the Soldiers are under marching orders, expecting to have a battle at Fredericksburgh [Fredericksburg] every day. After this direct your letters to me: Co. L, 3rd Battallion [Battalion] 10th Regt N.Y.V. Cav. Brayard’s 1st Brigade, Washington D.C. and please tell any one that will write to me how to direct. Joseph Mabbett told me how he had his letters and so I try the same way. There is a Brigade of Cavalry here. We are in the left wing of the Army & I guess in Hookers Grand Division. I don’t know as I have any more to write this morn, for in fact I have no chance to but little. Snow on the ground 2 or 3 inches deep but twill all go to day. Joseph is tough and fat as I ever saw him. I have seen part of the Collins boys that were in the old Regt. They look tough. I want you to write as often as you have done if I don’t to you for maybe I shall be where I can’t write as often as I have.
Yours Truly
Kimball Pearsons
To Wm. & Harriett
[envelope]
Mr. Wm H. Press,
Gowanda, N.Y.
[envelope reverse]
May
May
M. Press
May